Anand Patwardhan Nav Ambedkari Vidrohi Shahiri Jalsa presents Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe Jayanti Celebrations

Anand Patwardhan

Nav Ambedkari Vidrohi Shahiri Jalsa presents
Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe Jayanti Celebrations

Revolutionary writer and balladeer, Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe was a valiant voice for the struggles of the oppressed sections of society. His incisive commentary on the power structures of the day and undaunted cry for the unity of the suffering masses continues to inform and inspire progressive movements in and around us. 60 years ago, at the stroke of midnight, when the rest of the country rose in celebration, Annabhau cried out loud.. 'yeh azadi jhooti hai! Looteron ki chandi hai!'

India, 60 years hence, bears testimony to Annabhau's conviction. The vast majority of this country continues to be oppressed in the name of caste, religion, gender & sexuality, development & displacement. As mass struggles for the right to employment and food security, jal, jungle aur jameen rage across our landscape, the fundamental democratic right to voice the plight of our conditions and contestions is itself under severe suppression. Art and culture have been relentlessly commodified and commercialized. The need of the hour is to both reclaim our right to expression and dissent, and alternative art forms and cultural symbols.

Nav Ambedkari Vidrohi Shahiri Jalsa seeks to foster a cultural community of young progressive artists from diverse art forms and walks of life who will together contribute towards the movement for a progressive cultural politics. Thus far, we are a motley group of nearly 100 professional and amateur musicians and dancers (Classical, Folk, Hip-hop, Films), actors and film-makers (commercial and alternative), designers, writers, labourers, activists and service professionals.

We are in the course of studying the thoughts and works of those great critical thinkers who have paved the way for progressive politics in our society and around the world. Drawing inspiration from one such luminary of Maharashtra's progressive mass movements, Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe, we decided to pay our respects to him and celebrate his legacy with a cultural presentation (dance, drama and music) of our yet developing ideology. 

We are young and still learning. We are here to err and learn from our errors. We look to you our companions and predecessors in the movement for support and direction. Join hands and guide us in our crusade for creativity. 

Join us on Sunday, 4th August, 2013 at 7 pm, Shivaji Natya Mandir, Dadar (W) with friends and well-wishers and lets all celebrate Annabhau Sathe's legacy together. 

NAVYA SHAHIRICHA YALGAAR
7- 9 pm, Sunday, 4 August, 2013
Shivaji Natya Mandir, Dadar (W), Mumbai

Contact: Sambhaji Bhagat 9323801194; Anisha George 9820171019; Shirish Pawar 9773669828